Paris is on sale! The sales--or soldes in French--is a major event after the holiday season where everyone is invited.

The big sales are held during the second week of January through the first week of February. Every shop in Paris has marked down their winter merchandise--clothing, home, beauty, accessories, etc. So, I decided to embrace the experience to see if it's as amazing as everyone says it is. Well, i was impressed. At H & M, shirts were marked down to 3 euros (about $4) and sweaters were on sale for 10 Euros ($13).

Zara, Monoprix, and Promod had deep discounts. Monoprix's clothing, bags, shoes, home items, and accessories are all on sale from 30 to 50% off. The store was definitely worth the trip with a nice deeply discounted selection of winter coats, handbags, bedding, and kitchen items.

Shoes were definitely a hot ticket item where you could find most shoes on sale for as low as 60% off.

In order to avoid the crowds and to find the best deals, arrive at the shops early and avoid the weekends.

Don't worry about missing a sale. There are sales in every area of Paris. But, it's important to note that most stores are closed on Sundays. Although, the chains stay open during the Soldes.

If you need a break, stop by the beautiful restaurant at Printemps on the 6th floor. They serve Angelina's famous hot chocolate, as well as generous salads, pasta, and meat dishes. Prices range from $15 to $30 for a main course.